Indie films hailed for reviving Philippines art

Directors, producers, actors, teachers, critics, cineastes and other film artists and technicians packed the Inquirer’s multipurpose hall to celebrate the “indie spirit” in local cinema.

Dubbed the “1st Inquirer Indie Tribute,” the event was the paper’s way of honoring, on the occasion of its 25th anniversary, 25 independent filmmakers whose “works have touched Filipinos and have raised the bar for the industry and the entertainment media.”

Whereas previous years saw an output of 200 films per year, only 28 films will have been produced by mainstream producers by the end of 2010, said Briccio Santos, Head of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. By contrast, at least 52 independently produced films have hit local theaters.